The Âé¶čAV Rockets are back in the win column after taking down the WHLâs top team on home ice Friday night.
A couple veterans returned to the Rockets line up and made an instant impact as Âé¶čAV beat the Prince George Cougars 5-4.
Captain Gabriel Szturc and defenceman Caden Price, both playing in their first game of the season, each scored a goal and added an assist in the first period, giving the Rockets a 2-0 lead after the first. Both goals were powerplay markers.
Caden Price, it's nice to SEA ya! |
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After a slow start to the second period, Prince George cut the deficit in half when they scored at the 13:36 mark of the frame.
But the Rockets stormed back as 20-year-old Dylan Wightman scored a powerplay goal less than 30 seconds later, making it 3-1.
Ethan Mittelsteadt âĄïž Dylan Wightman âĄïž đš
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Just over two minutes after that, forward Andrew Cristall scored on a breakaway on a pass from defenceman Ismail Abougouche to make it 4-1. The goal was Cristallâs fifth goal in six games this season.
. highlight of the night, book it right now. x x
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The Cougars made a couple of comeback efforts in the third period but it wasnât enough. First, they scored twice in the first 1:36 of the third period to quickly make it a 4-3 game.
Just a few minutes later it was Wightman again, carrying the Rockets special teams efforts as he scored a shorthanded goal, his second of the game and fourth of the campaign to make it 5-3. It was the eventual game-winning goal.
shorthanded goals are fun when it's on the other team.
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Prince George added another goal late to make it 5-4.
Cristall also had an assist in the game, meaning the Rockets had four players with multi-point efforts.
Jari Kykkanen also returned to the Rockets lineup in net and made 35 saves in the win.
With the win, the Rockets move up to fourth in the Western Conference with a 3-3-1 record. In seven games this year, Âé¶čAV has scored 31 goals and allowed 36.
The Rockets are back in action at Prospera Place on Saturday night as they welcome the Medicine Hat Tigers for a rare visit. It is âPink the Rinkâ night as the Rockets will wear special Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game with proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m.
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